FIFA sanctipon- NFF sets up 4-man committee on Algeria’s blunder

By Gbenga Jolaosho

Abuja

NFF’s 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, has been named head of a 4-man panel to unravel the issues behind the slip that led to Nigeria forfeiting the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in Constantine on 10th November 2017.
The concluding match of Group B of the African series for Russia 2018 ended in a 1-1 draw, but FIFA on Tuesday awarded all three points to Algeria following Nigeria’s use of ineligible defender Abdullahi Shehu in the encounter.
NFF Executive Committee members Ibrahim Gusau and Felix Anyansi-Agwu are other members of the panel, with Mohammed Nasir Saidu, Chairman of Sokoto State Football Association, to serve as member/secretary.
“The Committee has two weeks to submit its report. It will have the responsibility of thoroughly investigating how the slip came about and those who were responsible, recommend appropriate sanctions and also make other recommendations that will forestall this kind of error in the future,” NFF President Amaju Pinnick announced at an early morning meeting with NFF Management and Staff in Abuja on Wednesday.
Pinnick also charged the Legal Department of the Federation to henceforth work closely with the Legal Committee to ensure the enforcement of the Code of Conduct enshrined in the contract of all Coaches, and directed that a separate document be developed to be signed by the head coach and Team Administrator of every National Team embarking on any assignment. He added that henceforth the NFF would visit any violation of the code with stiff sanctions as enshrined in the code and the Coaches’ respective contracts.
“People will as from now take responsibility for their actions, inactions, misconduct, negligence and downright ineptitudeness. We cannot continue to go on this way. What happened was a major gaffe and we will no longer condone this level of indolence and unseriousness.
“People must change their general attitude and their approach to work henceforth, or be ready to face sanctions.”
….Big shame, Westerhof blasts NFF
Former Nigeria coach Clemens Westerhof has blasted the country over FIFA’s recent point deduction and fine for the Super Eagles playing an ineligible player during the inconsequential World Cup qualifier away to Algeria last month.
Westerhof spoke from his country home in the Netherlands when Scorenigeria.com.ng called him up, saying it was a monumental shame for football and its managers in the West African country.
“FIFA deducted points from the Super Eagles?, for what”, I hope the Super Eagles will still go to the World Cup”?, Westerhof fired when informed of FIFA’s sanction.
When told the point deduction was punishment for fielding a supposedly suspended Super Eagles defender, Shehu Abdullahi, following cautions against Swaziland and Zambia games, and that the Super Eagles will still be at the Russia 2018 World Cup, an obviously relieved Westerhof said it was a shame a country like Nigeria could still come short of simply rules of the game at this stage.
“Shame, yes, it’s a shame Nigeria don’t know a suspended player.
“You play games, you don’t know player A, player B with yellow card, red card……..
“The Federation (NFF) is there, the officials of the Super Eagles don’t take note and team media.
“It is a big shame, but good (however) the Super Eagles will be at the World Cup.”

Leave a Reply